Juliet balconies have got popular, especially on loft conversions. They’re basically a safety barrier outside upstairs windows or doors. You get the light and the opening without needing a full balcony sticking out.
Building regulations require them on any upstairs door where there’s a drop. Can’t have a bedroom door opening onto a two-storey drop with nothing there. Juliet balcony sorts it while keeping the building looking clean.
Two main styles – traditional metal railings or glass panels. Metal’s usually wrought iron style with vertical bars and maybe some scrollwork. Glass is toughened safety glass in a stainless or powder coated frame. Glass lets more light through but costs more.
Heights have to be 1100mm minimum measured from the floor inside. That’s building regs. Some people want them taller for kids’ bedrooms which is fair enough. Done them up to 1400mm when asked.
Width depends on your window or door. We measure the gap in the wall and make the balcony to fit exactly. Most are 1200mm to 2000mm wide. Anything bigger and you might need planning depending on the property.
Fixing’s critical. These are safety barriers so they need to be anchored properly into the structure. We use chemical anchors drilled into the wall – threaded rods set in resin that goes rock solid. Each balcony gets 6 to 10 fixing points depending on size. Not taking chances.
Installation needs scaffolding. We’re working at height fixing heavy metalwork to a wall. Takes a day to fit once the scaffold’s up. We template first so it definitely fits before we turn up with it.
All our metal balconies are galvanised before powder coating. Stops rust from the inside out. Glass is always toughened, 10mm or 12mm thick. Frames are stainless (316 grade) or powder coated mild steel if budget’s tighter.
Look needs to match the property. Victorian houses usually suit traditional metal with period details. Modern properties often look better with glass and stainless or simple contemporary metalwork.
Planning permission might be needed in conservation areas or if the property’s listed. Generally if it faces the street or changes the look of the building, planning want to see it. We’ve dealt with enough applications to know what they’re after.
Maintenance is minimal. Metal ones need checking every few years that nothing’s loose. Glass ones just need cleaning. Fixings are concealed so not much to go wrong.
Most of our Juliet balcony work is Sheffield and Barnsley, often loft conversions where architects spec them in. We work with builders or directly with homeowners. Can provide certification for building control if needed.
Cost depends on size and style. Glass costs more than metal. Bigger costs more than smaller. But it’ll last 20+ years and keep the building safe and legal.